Tunnel on Jammu-Srinagar NH to be inaugurated by PM soon: MoS Jitendra Singh

The Union minister of state for the PMO Dr Jitendra Singh has said that the Chenani-Nashari tunnel on Jammu-Srinagar national highway will be soon thrown open for traffic. On Saturday, Singh inspected the ongoing work in the tunnel which is in its final phase.

Union minister of state for the PMO Dr Jitendra Singh (fourth from left) inspecting work at Chenani-Nashari tunnel on Saturday. (HT Photo)

The Union minister of state for the PMO Dr Jitendra Singh has said that the Chenani-Nashari tunnel on Jammu-Srinagar national highway will be soon thrown open for traffic. On Saturday, Singh inspected the ongoing work in the tunnel which is in its final phase.

Singh said that country’s longest road tunnel connecting Chenani in Udhampur district and Nashari in Ramban district, will be inaugurated by the Prime Minister.

He added that when the situation in Valley normalises, a date will be fixed for the inauguration.

On the purpose of his visit, he said he wanted to access progress of work and other security arrangements regarding PM’s visit to inaugurate the tunnel.

He added while most of the work on the project has been completed, the installation of equipments and gadgets like sound diffusers, ventilators, fans, fire fighters, electrical panels and transformers, is under progress and likely to be completed by August.

Singh said that the tunnel will act as an all-weather alternative to the existing NH-1A section, connecting Chenani with Nashri. “It will reduce the existing road distance between the two points up to 35 kilometers,” he said.

Singh took detailed review of the ongoing and pending works of the tunnel project, during a high level meeting of the officers of National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and the Concessionaire, IL&FS.

Talking to media Singh today directly made Pakistan responsible for present unrest in Kashmir. He added that whatever is happening in Kashmir is Pakistan sponsored,” he added.

On the urest in Kashmir, Singh said Kashmir is returning to normalcy. He added that Kashmiri youth are being misguided by separatist leaders and need of hour is to being them on track.